Genesis 26

Genesis 26

Genesis 26:1-5

Not much can be said about Isaac’s life. We here a lot about Isaac, but this is the one chapter that actually deals with Isaac. From here on out we will continue through learning about Jacob, Isaac’s son.

There are two things to note about Isaac. Isaac was a man who sought the will of the Lord. Notice what he is doing in Genesis 24:63. A famine had come to the land and Isaac waits to hear what the Lord has in store. The Lord says, “Do not go down to Egypt.” If you care to get some background about the spiritual significant of this, check out Jeremiah 42-43. Egypt has always represented the world and its glory. Egypt has food, wealth, and stuff to offer. There will be times of famine in our lives. It is then that we see who we run to. Are we running into the arms of the world and its riches? Are we running to God and His arms of love? Notice also, it is through times of famines that we are given revelation into the promises of God. I have come to know God more so through the hard times than the easy ones. It is by going through a tough time that I realize how good and great Jesus is!

Genesis 26:6-9

How interesting. As the saying goes, like father like son. Isaac is caught lying to the King of the Philistines about his wife. The name, “Abimelech” is actually a title. It means king, just as we recognize Pharaoh, Caesar, and Czar to mean the same thing. The Abimelech was the king of the Philistines. Thus we see Abimelech approach Isaac. He is aware that Isaac had lied to him.

Interesting enough, we will read of another fatherly example. Notice how Isaac handles the situations between verses 12-22. Isaac keeps on getting kicked out of his own wells! This was a lot of work to dig up a well. Does Isaac complain? No, instead he simply keeps on digging new wells. We already saw how crafty Jacob could be. As Jacob grows older and gets wiser we see him becoming more and more like Isaac. He ends up working an extra seven years to get the wife he wants. He would end up having to let his sons go down into Egypt. Less conniving, more trusting.

Fathers and mothers, your example has a huge effect. Older siblings, your example has a huge effect. Who are you reflecting? Look how an ungodly example affected Isaac. Look how a godly example would affect Jacob. We all look up to some one. Keep in mind that we all are being looked up to. Be sold out for Jesus. Live a life that is transparent. Live in a manner that, whoever is looking up to you, will be pointed toward God.